Sitara Himalaya is a private sanctuary with just ten elegant guestrooms set amidst the grandeur, beauty and spirituality of the Himalayas.
Sitara Himalaya is guided by the Vedic concept that we are at one with the cosmos. This ancient wisdom, which reminds us that everything in the universe is connected and the same, is summarised in the Vedas as Tat Tvam Asi – You Are That.
Situated on a sacred hill, abode of the local village Devata, the area is considered the cradle of the Vedas, since it is believed that thousands of years ago the greatest Indian sage Rishi Ved Vyas meditated for 12 years just above this spot and then inscribed the eternal cosmic wisdom into the four Vedas.
We offer a space to pause and connect with the plants, the stars, the sunrise, the moon and even the hum of the earth as it revolves and rotates around the sun. A bracing riverside walk. A hike to a torrential waterfall. A meditative walk in a dense cedar and pine forest.
Svasthi means benediction and blessings for the wellbeing of all.
At the highest point of the property is Paro Svasthi, a space to promote deep wellbeing at every level with a focus on rejuvenating the body, mind and spirit by rebalancing the Panch Mahabhutas (five elements of the universe) through guided meditation, yog, and rituals of fire.
Shantih is a serene Yogshala within Paro Svasthi with panoramic views. The Svasthi space includes a hot water plunge pool fragrant with the oil of Himalayan Deodar, an infra-red sauna with a wall of detoxifying Himalayan salt bricks, and a steam room energised with Himalayan Rock crystals, fragrant with green cardamom oil that clears the lungs.
Saukhya has many meanings. It has connotations of both pleasure and calm, of comfort and delight, of healing and peacefulness. It means much more than a state of being in good health, and it goes far deeper than wellness alone.
Everything that heals us, that comforts us, that brings peace radiates Saukhya. To us, Saukhya means joyful wellbeing, the state of being comfortable, healthy and happy. This is our guiding light at Sitara Himalaya, the state we seek to achieve for all our guests.
Our culinary journey begins with the Tandoors and Chargrills of the Khyber, delicacies of Wazvan from Jammu and Kashmir, Noodle Thupkas and Momos of Ladakh, the revered Dham Thali of Himachal, and fusion Anglo-Indian dishes created in the hill stations and dak bungalows across the Himalayas.
Cooking techniques of our kitchen involve age-old methods of slow cooking in clay pots, an underground pit, open fires, smoking, pickling and fermenting. Dishes may feature local trout, goat or rare delicious morel mushrooms foraged from around the area.
Sitara Himalaya is an extension to the private home of Anita Lal, founder of the iconic lifestyle brand, Good Earth.
Mrs Lal has personally curated every aspect of the retreat, reflecting her taste and showcasing the best of Indian design and culture. It is an intimate residence where the world of joyous luxury merges with the spiritual world of wellness.
A place to find harmony, balance and connection to nature.
The 10-room affair near Manali is a reflection of the iconic design brand’s ethos and its owner’s joie de vivre